Decorative bow structure



June 22, 1954 JAMES 2,681,525

DECORATIVE BOW STRUCTURE Filed May 16, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l V INVENTOR.

6/7/ James I I w 6 BY ATTOR/V June 22, 1954 Y, JAMES 2,681,525

DECORATIVE BOW STRUCTURE Filed May 16, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 i 34 i i6/32 6% MINZIJTOR.

5/7/ )4 James #7 Tram/5K June 22, 1954 B. Y. JAMES DECORATIVE BOWSTRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 16. 1950 INVENTOR 5/'// K JamesPatented June 22, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to the decorative arts particularly to giftpackaging, the primary object being to provide an inexpensive, easilyand quickly formed bow adapted for mounting upon a box or other packageand including a plurality of superimposed, elongated loopsinterconnected and/or joined to the box or tying tape therefor at asingle point substantially at the center of the bow.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide adecorative bow that constitutes in its entirety a plurality ofsuperimposed, radially extending loops, each of which is of itself madefrom an initially fiat, elongated strip of flexible material.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a bowfor decoration purposes including a plurality of loops that are producedby folding an elongated fiat strip of flexible material upon itself, andgathering the same together at a mid-point, there being provided asingle fastening element adaptable for joining the proximal superimposedends of the loops and/or connecting the entire bow to either the packageor tying tape therefor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bow adaptablefor decorating packages, made from an initially flat; elongated strip offlexible material such as paper, cloth, cellophane, and having aplurality of perforations extending the entire length thereof, eitherfor the purpose of presenting a bow having a number of loops ofdiffering lengths or a bow having loops of identical length by virtue ofexact spacing of the perforations of the strip.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bow construction madefrom an elongated strip of material provided with equally spacedperforations therealong, the strip having areas of reduced widthadjacent each opening respectively to avoid bulkiness at the point ofattachment of the loops at the center of the bow and to add toattractiveness.

Other objects of the present invention include the way in which anelongated strip of material is presented and formed to render the sameadaptable for cutting shorter strips of material therefrom which may besubsequently folded and joined into loop construction; the way in whichnovel fastening elements are provided for the loops including tyingtape-receiving means, package piercing and locking construction, meansto pierce and mount the bow on an auxiliary tapereceiving block; andstructure for joining the bow to the tape or to the box by means ofadhesive.

Many additional objects will be made clear as the manner of producingthe various bows hereof are hereinafter described, reference being hadto the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package having one form ofdecorativebow structure of this invention secured thereto.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the strip material used in forming thebow illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a modified form of stripmaterial.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a second form of decorative bow structure.

Fig. 5 is a perspective, stretched-out view of the component parts ofthe bow illustrated in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the manner of mounting any oneof the bows of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of another form of decorative bow structure.

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the blank used. in producing the bowillustrated in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a top plan View of another form of bow utilizing a slightlydifferent type of strip construction.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatical view illustrating the manner of forminganother type of bow.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the strip of material used to form the bowof Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational View of the fastening element shown inFig. 6.

Fig. 13 is an end elevational view thereof.

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view of a slightly modified form offastening means.

Fig. 15 is a side, perspective view of a still further form of fastenerfor the bows.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an auxiliary block and fasteningconstruction for the bows.

Fig. 1'7 is a top perspective View of another type of fastening element.

Fig. 18 is a side perspective view of another modified form of fasteningmeans for the bows.

Fig. 19 is a top perspective view of an adhesive type fastener for thebows.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating one manner of use of theelement of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a top plan View showing the manner of using the element ofFigs. 19 and 20.

Fig. 22 is a top perspective View illustrating another manner of use ofthe element shown in Fig. 19; and

Fig. 23 is another form of adhesive type, bow fastening element.

The various modifications of the decorative bows hereof illustrated inFigs. 1, 4, '7, 9 and. 10 respectively, are all of substantially thesame character with the exception of that of Fig, 7, in that the sameare formed from an initially flat, elongated strip of material.Irrespective of the type of bow that is utilized, the fastening elementsillustrated in Figs. 12 to 23 inclusive, are adaptable.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and. 2, there is illustrated in the latter, aroll IE2 of an elongated strip 52 of flexible material preferably of apaperlike nature and of a desired color. The strip i2 is provided with aplurality of equally spaced perforaticns is extending throughout thelength of strip i2.

Strip I2 is utilized in producing a bow l6 such as illustrated in Fig. 1of the drawings and bow i6 is formed in the manner illustrated by Fig.2. The operator merely forms a plurality of opposed loops insuperimposed relationship with the openings M in direct alignment forreceiving a fastening element or such other fastening element as may bedesired and as will'hereinafter be made clear.

Element 2!? has a head 22 and an arrowheadtype of prong construction 24opposite to head 22 thereof. After the loops iii are joined by use ofthe element as. the latter is forced into one wall of a box or otherpackage 20, asshown in Fig. 6, whereupon the head 22 is turned 90degrees to automatically lock the prong 2a in place. If desired, theprong 24 may be caused to pass through crossing tapes 20 used as a tyingmeans for box 2 5.

Obviously, after the loops I0 are formed and the element Zil'passedthrough the aligned openings i i thereof, loops 58 are turned at variousangles with respect to each other upon the shank of element ZEto presentthe appearance illustrated in Fig. i of the drawings.

ihere is illustrated in Fig. 3, a portion of a modified form of strip 38of much the same char acter as strip i2 in that the same is providedwith a plurality of spaced openings or perforations 38 at equaldistances apart to produce loops of equal size in the same manner as inbow construction 5. The elongated flexible strip however, is providedwith a pair of opposed cutout portions 26 adjacent each opening 33respectively, to present portions of reduced width at each opening 38.Accordingly, when the tape 35 is placed in use in the same manner asshown in Fig, 2 of the drawings, that part of the completed bow adjacentthe centerinost fastening element, will be less bulky and will therebypresent an even neater appearance than that provided for by use of stripl2.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a bow made from thecomponent parts illustrated in Fig. 5. Such parts include a strip 52, apair of strips 5 5 and a 4th strip 50. The strips 5 3 are provided withend tabs 58 of reduced. width, each perforated as at 30 and acenterinost portion 62 of reduced width having a centrally disposed.opening 64 therein. Strip 52 is identical with strip 5 5 with theexception that the centermost reduced portion thereof has the edgesthereof undulate-d as at 65.

Strip 5c is like strip b t with theexception that the perforated endtabs 58 are eliminated and the ends of the strip are cut at an anglewith respect to the trans erse axis of the strip es. When assembled, thetwo strips 54 are interposed between strips 52 and 56 and'all of thestrips with the exception of strip 56, are formed into loops 5%. Informing the loops, the perforations B0 of strips 52 and 5d are broughtinto alignment with the perforations 6 thereof and with the perforation04 of strip 56. The fastening elemerit such as illustrated as at 20 isutilized to join the four sections of the bow structure and the loops B8are arranged in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4. Here again thefastening elements 20 may be additionally used to join the how 50 to abox or the like 28.

It is noted in Fig. 5 of the drawings that the undulations es of thestrip 52, present the appearance of a'knot which may be enhancedpictorially if desired. The strip 55 on the other hand simulates theends of a tied bow.

iii)

' gated strips M radiating from a common perforated area of integralconnections I6. The outermost end of each strip M has a tab 18 thereonperforated as at in the same manner as shown in Fig. 5 above described.

In use, the strips M are rebent upon themselves topresent a number ofloops t2 and the perforations 00 are all aligned with the centermostperforation of portion 16 for reception of a fastening element 20. It ispreferred further that the strip 56 of Fig. 5, be utilized in connectionwith loops 02 to again present the ends of the tape forming bow 10.

A bow in Fig. 9 of the drawings, is formed. from an elongated stripofmaterial similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 and designated by thenumeral I2 except that there is provided a relatively large number ofclosely spaced perforations 92 extending the full length of the rolledstrip. It is seen that through utilization of such strip material, theuser may produce a bow of virtually any shape, size or configurationdesired. All that is needed is to rebend the material upon itself into aplurality of loops 94 making sure only that each pair of loops has aperforation in alignment with a perforation next below for reception offastening element 20 or the like.

Bow construction such as shown schematically in Fig. 10 of the drawing,is made from an elongated strip of material I00 such as shown in Fig.11. Strip I00 is similar in nature to'strip 36 in that there is provideda plurality of equally spaced, reduced areas I02 and as shown in Fig. 5,at 66, certain of the areas I02 have the edges thereof undulated as atI04. In lieu of a single perforation such as illustrated at 38 in Fig.3, each reduced portion I02 is provided with a pair of closely spacedperforations I06. In utilizing the strip I00, the portions between thepairs of perforations I06 are rebent upon themselves to present aplurality of superimposed loops I08 and also rebent to form a line ofbend IIO between the perforations I06 of each pair thereof. Accordingly,all of the perforations I06 are in direct alignment for receiving afastening element 20 and presenting a bow H2. The loops are therefore,disposed in direct superimposed relationship and by cutting the ends ofthe strip I00 at an angle as at I I4, a pair of ends IIB will bepresented for bow I I2.

At this juncture, it is also apparent that the strips 54 and 56 may eachbe cut from a single length of pro-formed rolled material and in thisconnection, the strip I00 is virtually adaptable as illustrated forproducing the sections 54 and 50 of bow 50. r

The fastening element above referred to and designated by the numeral20, is most clearly illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings andin this instance, a pair of shanks are provided for head 22, each havinga prong construction 24 thereon. In lieu of this type of fasteningelement, a similar fastening I 30 may be provided as illustrated in Fig.14, having a single shank and prong construction I32 thereon. V

It is furthermore apparent that any of the bows above described may beinterconnected and/or joined with tying tape 28 or box 26 by aconventional fastener I 34 such as shown in Fig. 15. a

As another possibility, fastening of the bows may be accomplishedthrough use of an auxiliary block I36 (Fig. 16) having a pair ofperforations I38 for threadably receiving a tying tape I40. A brad-likefastening element I42 passing through the perforations of the bow isthereupon tacked into the block I38 for holding the bow in place uponthe tape I40 and the package which it ties.

The fastener I34 of Fig. may be modified as illustrated in Fig. 17 toproduce a fastener Md having an opening I46 adjacent the outermost endof each leg thereof for threadably receiving a tying tape I48. A knotI50 formed in the tape I I!) prevents relative movement betweenfastening means I44 with its bow thereon and with respect to tape I48. Afastening means I52 in the nature of a brad, has a single shank providedwith an opening I54 for threadably receiving a tying tape I56. In thisinstance, a sharp end prong I 58 on the shank of element I52, serves tohold the bow in place by virtue of the point I58 embedding itself in thepackage.

A strip of bendable material IE0 is shown in Fig. 19 of the drawings andhaving a pair of opposed ears I62 struck therefrom and each providedwith a perforation I64. The opposed surfaces of strip I60 are providedwith coatings of adhesive I66. In one manner of use of the strip I 60,the ears I62 are bent upwardly as illustrated in Fig. 20, the bow isplaced between the ears I62 with the aligned perforations thereof inalignment with opposed perforations I54 and a suitable fastening elementIE8 is used to interconnect ears I62 and the proximal ends of the loopsof the bow. Fig. 21 illustrates the way in which the loops are held inposition when strip I60 is utilized in this manner. That face of thestrip I60 opposite to the laterally extending ears E62, is thereuponfastened to tying tape 23 or package 26 by utilization of the adhesiveI56 thereon.

Another manner of using the strip I60 is shown in Fig. 22. In this case,one face of the strip Hill is secured to the tying tape or package asjust above described and the opposite face is glued to the bow itselfafter the latter has been formed and secured in place by means of asuitable fastener I10.

In Fig. 23 there is illustrated a bow fastener ZIlIl taking the form ofa disc, centrally perfo rated as at 292 and provided with adhesive (notshown) on the lowermost face thereof Disc 2981 is used in much the samemanner as illustrated in Fig. 22 except that perforation 202 receivesfastener ill! or the like and serves to attach disc to the bow.

In lieu of the perforations I4, 38, 60, 54, B0, 92 and I05, the variousstrips may be provided with suitable indicia for designation points tobe perforated through use of a fastener such as shown in Fig. 18.

It will be appreciated from the foregoin that there has been provideddecorative bow structure that is inexpensive and particularly easy touse even by the most inexperienced operator. Furthermore, a relativelylarge number of differin types of bows can be made through use of thestrips and the various types of fastening means herein disclosed andmanifestly, many other,

types, shapes and configurations can be produced in addition to thosespecifically disclosed and described above.

In each case a simulated bow can be produced that will maintain itsshape and beauty without the need of tying or particular shaping thereofduring its application to a package or the like. Accordingly, it isdesired to be limited only by the spirit of this invention as defined.by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A decorative bow for use in gift wrapping a package, said bowcomprising a single, initially flat, elongated, continuous strip ofmaterial formed into a pair of opposed stacks of superimposed,alternately oppositely facing loops, each of said loops having an upperleg, 2. lower leg and a bight, alternate loops of each stack havingopen, smoothly arcuate bights disposed remotely from the opposite stack,the remaining loops of each stack having folded bights interlapped withthe similar bights of the remaining loops of the opposite stack, theuppermost loop of each stack being one of said alternate loops, theupper leg of each of said remaining loops being common to theimmediately overlying alternate loop and forming the lower leg of thelatter, each leg of each of said remaining loops being provided with aperforation adjacent the bight of the loop and in alignment with theperforations of the other of said remaining loops of both stacks, theupper legs of said uppermost loops being integral and provided with anopening in alignment with said perforations; and. a fastening elementextending through opening and all of said perforations to hold saidremaining loops of the pair of stacks in interlapped, tightlysuperimposed relationship.

2. A decorative bow for use in ift wrapping a package, said bowcomprising a single, initially fiat, elongated, continuous strip ofmaterial formed into a pair of opposed stacks of superimposed,alternately oppositely facing loops, each of said loops havin anelongated, upper leg, an elongated, lower leg and a, bight, alternateloops of each stack having open, smoothly arcuate bights disposedremotely from the opposite stack, the remaining loops of each stackhaving folded nights interlapped with the similar bights of theremaining loops of the opposite stack, the uppermost loop of each stackbeing one of said alternate loops, the upper leg of each of saidremaining loops being common to the immediately overlying alternate loopand forming the lower le of the latter, the lower leg of each of saidalternate loops being of the same len th as the upper leg thereof, thelower leg of each of said remaining loops being longer than the upperleg thereof, each leg of each of said remaining loops being providedwith a perforation adjacent the bight of the loop and in alignment withthe perforations of the other of said remainin loops of both stacks, theupper legs of said uppermost loops being integral and provided with anopening in alignment with said perforations; and a fastening elementextending throu h said opening and all of said perforations to hold saidremaining loops of the pair of stacks in interlapped, tightlysuperimposed relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 674,956 Buschmann May 28, 1901 1,001,756 Hall Aug. 29, 19111,800,729 Hodges Apr. 14, 1931 ,072,509 Mercer Mar, 2, 1937 2,104,248Stark Jan, 4, 1938 42, 22 Welch Feb. 20, 1951 2,562,919 James Aug. 7,1951

